Pros: Decodes high definition video from BLU Ray and HDDVDs and will play over DVI with HDCP. Silent operation. Doesn't cost a lot. Works with my 200W Shuttle power supply. Works great with the Vista Aero interface. 3.8 in Vista performance index.

Cons: No HDMI means I might need to upgrade again in a few years if I really want HDMI. I will probably just stick to separate audio and video outputs. Not Low-profile... wasn't an issue for me but some HTPC cases require low profile cards.

Overall Review: I had a geforce 7100gs that I bought for my HTPC so I could play DVDs and use the Aero interface in Vista at the native 1366*768 resolution of my TV. The 7100gs worked fine until I wanted to watch High Definition dvds. This 3450 card works great for BluRay and HDDVD playback. Movies are smooth, silent operation in my HTPC and doesn't use too much power since my Shuttle only has a 200W PSU. Shuttle XPC SK22G2B AMD Socket AM2 AMD ATHLON X2 3500 AM2 2 GB DDR2 400GB Samsung HD LG BluRay/HDDVD Combo drive - GGC-H20L

Pros: This drive was easy to setup. I plugged it into my router and my networked computers all detected it. The price is decent for 2TB of storage. I didn't experience the firmware issues like others have.

Cons: I run a wireless network and won't be taking advantage of the theoretical 1Gb connection. My laptop and desktop are connected to my router at around 100Mb. Trying to transfer files is just painful. I get between 500KB and 3MB per second when trying to copy files to this NAS. I spent a few days testing out other options but my network is not up to the task. I would probably need to upgrade my network just to get passable performance so I am returning this drive. This may not be the drive's fault but I am not going to spend the extra time troubleshooting my network just to backup my two computers.

Overall Review: I liked the idea of a NAS but after giving it a shot, I decided it is just not practical for my needs. I replaced this NAS with a 3TB USB3.0 external backup from Seagate. I now get around 37MB / sec and haven't looked back.

Pros: - Mine included the Asus Tuf 3080. The Asus video card is really nice. I compared to the Founders Edition 3080 and the Asus is very quiet in comparison. - The LED lighting in the case was already configured with the Gigabyte Fusion RGB software and looks cool, your taste will vary and the software allows you to change the lighting. There are 4 case fans and a thermaltake CPU cooler which all have customizable LED lights. - The Rosewill case with Tempered glass window is sturdy and offers a clear view of the internals. The case has easy access to ports and seems fairly straightforward to expand on in the future. - The Wifi included with the motherboard is fast and includes 2 antennas

Cons: - There is a price premium but after receiving the case and looking at the components and build quality, it is very reasonable. I have always built my rig and the pains of assembly was part of the fun. I was surprised at how good it felt to just be able to do a quick component check and then turn this one on. That was just as much fun. - I had one question for ABS support but they still haven't replied to my email. I resolved my own issue but does have me concerned for anyone that will actually need help from ABS. - If I built my own I would have picked a Ryzen Combo, but this one still runs everything well. - The motherboard is matx which could be an issue. - The location of the M2 SSD is right between the video card and cpu. It's going to get crazy hot and I have previously lost an SSD on another computer that had a similar layout. - Sound capabilities are just basic on realtek hardware

Overall Review: If you can afford this and want a 3080, I can recommend this gaming PC. The premium I thought I was paying was actually very reasonable. ABS deserves credit for the additional support and time spent on testing all the pieces and delivering it with Win10 already installed.

Pros: Large copper heatsink looks nice Effective cooling Quiet

Cons: Compared to the install of the standard Intel heatsink, this Zalman install was difficult. I had a retail Intel heatsink installed on my G3258 which I decided to upgrade. I removed the existing Intel heatsink and processor in about 2 minutes. I then installed my new processor in about another minute. This Zalman heatsink required an hour to install. I had to remove the motherboard, then screw the retaining clip in. I then reinstalled the processor, applied the thermal compound and wrestled with the heatsink's screws to get it secure. My biggest mistake was reinstalling the motherboard in my case after I attached the socket clip. The case kept blocking access to the screws on this heatsink.

Overall Review: I have owned several Zalman heatsinks over the years. I also have a few aftermarket coolers from other brands Given what you're paying for a nice looking aftermarket heatsink, this installation should have been easier. If you are starting a build from scratch or are willing to pull your motherboard out of the case then the install should go more smoothly. Get the processor and heatsink on your motherboard first, then install in your case.

Pros: - Unlocked for overclocking - Low TDP, power efficient - My sample overclocked to 3.7GHZ on stock 1.2v

Cons: - This isn't any faster than my 3+ yr old AMD Phenom II X4 840 Quad-Core 3.2GHz. - Two cores - Limited to 1333 DDR3 -heatsink whines

Overall Review: This is the first Intel processor I have bought in a dozen years. I decided to upgrade to a new system architecture and take advantage of USB3, SATA3 as well as BIOS and power efficiency improvements. This budget CPU is a great starting point. It is not faster than my 3+ year old Phenom but is equivalent for gaming. My plan is to upgrade to an i7 in about 6 months but I didn't want to drop $600 in a system all at once. This CPU is a good placeholder to get some improvements in the system now and also allow for an easy upgrade in the future. With the right motherboard, this CPU is a great start. As reviewed all over the internet, you can get great results from the overclock. Paired with the correct video card you can get great gaming value and obviously handle your day to day tasks. \ My only complaint is the stock Intel heatsink. It is quiet but does generate a whine as it speeds up. It is the loudest component of my system right now.

Pros: Basic features include USB3, SATA3 BIOS is cluttered but gives access to lots of features

Cons: - Only two DDR3 memory slots - Only 6 USB connections available, 4XUSB2 and 2XUSB3 - Double expansion slot video card will block one of two PCIX2 slots. - CPU Voltage is limited to the stock voltage of 1.2v. This pretty much eliminates this board for anyone that wants to overclock their CPU in any way. You can get some overclock just by increasing the clock multiplier but eventually you will hit a wall because you can't add more voltage.

Overall Review: For a similar price, there are other motherboards with more USB, more DDR3 and more control in the BIOS. I got this at a steep discount through a NewEgg promotion, so for the price this was a good value. The components look solid and the board looks clean and well constructed. I can't recommend this if there are other boards with more control and versatility at a similar price point.